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n Disney’s “Fantasia 2000,” Ottorino Respighi’s “The Pines of Rome” is the setting for a whimsical and sublime story of a lost whale calf being reunited with its pod and then soaring to new heights with them.

STARSTRUCK Youth Theatre presents the comedy “Comic Book Artist” a play for all ages in two acts. Special presentations by Parjarito Dance Project and LAHS NJROTC will add to the entertainment. Shows begin at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Duane Smith Auditorium. Tickets are $1 per person and sold at the door or in advance from cast members. Call 661-2661 for tickets and information.

The MG Franklin E. Miles Chapter 229 of the Military Order of World Wars in Los Alamos announces Los Alamos National Laboratory scientist, Joyce Guzik, will be the guest speaker at the Chapter’s May 17 dinner meeting. The topic of Guzik’s talk will be “Journey to the Center of the Sun.”
The meeting will be at 6 p.m. at the Best Western Hilltop House, third floor and will begin with a short social period and business meeting, followed by dinner. Guzik’s talk will begin at about 7:15 p.m. The dinner entrée is lasagna with appropriate sides. Cost of the dinner is $20 per person.

Otowi Station Bookstore and Village Arts Framing are hosting a book launch for Stephen McCranie, author–illustrator of the graphic novel, “Mal and Chad: the Biggest, Bestest Time Ever!” Friday and Saturday.
“We’re so happy to host the launch party for Stephen,” said Peggy Durbin, co-owner of Otowi Station Bookstore. “ ‘Mal and Chad’ is a hoot for readers of all ages.”
The events will kick off with school visits on Friday, to Chamisa, Piñon, Mountain and Aspen Elementary Schools. McCranie will discuss the creative process, demonstrate cartooning techniques and join students as they draw their own cartoons.

The League of Women Voters will have Acting County Administrator Randy Autio as the featured speaker at the League of Women Voters Lunch with a Leader. The event will be from 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Thursday at Central Avenue Grill. The cost of the luncheon is $15, which covers an entree, drink, tax and gratuity.
Autio has been a resident of New Mexico since 1969, when his father’s job with the AEC brought the family to Albuquerque. He graduated from The University of New Mexico with a degree in political science and then stayed to complete his law degree.

May 1-7, 2011
For information, call the Betty Ehart Senior Center (BESC) at 662-8920, the White Rock Senior Center (WRSC) at 662-8200 and “Day Out” (adult day care, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.) at 661-0081. Reservations must be made by 10 a.m. for daily lunches.

The Los Alamos Animal Shelter, 226 East Road, 662-8179, has a great selection of on-site adoptable pets; others are in foster care with loving, temporary homes.
All of our fully reconditioned adoptable pets are spayed or neutered, have their shots and are micro-chipped.
Be sure to check out links to our many pets at the Friends of the Shelter Web site: www.lafos.org. You can also volunteer or make a donation.
We get lots of roaming cats and dogs. Don’t assume your cat was a meal for a coyote. Check with the shelter and see if your best friend is bunking with us. Proof of rabies vaccination is required when claiming your pet.
Happy Mother’s Day. Maybe mom needs a new love in her life — just waiting for her at the shelter.

The Family YMCA is taking registrations for the May 14 session of its American Red Cross Infant/Child Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation certification course.
The course, taught by an American Red Cross certified instructor, provides training on how to respond to emergency situations, recognize the signs of a heart attack and provide care for an infant or child who stops breathing, is choking, or whose heart stops beating. Participants who complete the course will receive American Red Cross certification.
The next class will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 14. Cost is $40 for YMCA members and $60 for program members, with a maximum of 12 participants. Pre-registration is required.

Alex Kendrick, Julia Murphy and Ryan Erickson will attempt to reach the pinnacle when it comes to science fairs.
The three Los Alamos High School students, who are the grand award winners, will travel to Los Angeles this weekend for the International Science and Engineering Fair.
Kendrick, a senior, will attend Harvey Mudd College in Clairmont, Calif., in the fall. His project was called, “Electromagnetic Detection of Aquifers.”
Kendrick played soccer and took part in the symphonic orchestra, as well.
During his sophomore year, Kendrick won the grand award and last year, he placed third.
Here is a description of Kendrick’s project:

Thank you ever so much for sending me an invitation to your wedding. Walking up the stairs to my room would have been so hard for you, considering you’ve never had to do anything before in your life. Well, thanks for taking the time to put a stamp on an envelope!
I was so surprised to hear of your engagement. I had completely forgotten about it, even though you’ve managed to mention it about four million times since yesterday. Thank you so much for letting me know!

On Saturday, Pajarito Environmental Education Center is offering two adventures for outdoor-lovers. One is close to home in White Rock Canyon and the other is a little beyond San Ysidro.

Paul Arendt will lead the White Rock Canyon hike, a rigorous nine-mile exploration into the more isolated sections of the canyon. It will take approximately 5 ½ hours to complete, starting from the Bandelier Visitor Center at 8:30 a.m.

On May 14, kids ages eight and older can learn survival skills at Pajarito Environmental Education Center, in a class from 10 a.m.-noon. Led by Rob Dixon, recreation program manager for the Valles Caldera, the class will be the first in a series of two which will teach kids the skills they will need to know if they are ever on their own in the woods. In this session, they will learn how to start fires without matches.

Lads of Enchantment, the Los Alamos chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, is a fraternity of men from all walks of life and all ages, from teenagers to seniors, who come together and find common ground through self-expression in song.

Barbershop harmony is a form of music created with nothing but human voices coming together to create a texture that is pleasing to the ears and produce four-part harmony.

Fine tapestry artist Donna Loraine Contractor brings a solo exhibition of new work to Taos’ Weaving Southwest May 3-31. An opening reception and meet the artist opportunity for the show will be from 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the Weaving Southwest, 106A Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos.

Those that missed the William-Kate wedding festivities at Westminster Abbey last Friday, should look no further because “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress” debuts at the Los Alamos Little Theatre this week. While it may not be the royal wedding itself, Alan Ball’s serio-comedic play features five bridesmaids sporting identical gowns in absolute-apricot, complete with stand-alone skirts, dyed-peach prom pumps and hats even the flying nun would envy.

An opportunity to enjoy the spring season is approaching. From 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday on the Fuller Lodge lawn, the public can enjoy the sun, the fresh air and the plethora of art available through the Los Alamos Arts Council’s 44th Annual Spring Arts and Crafts Fair.

The School of New Mexico Dance Theater presents its seventh annual spring recital, “Around the World,” at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday at the Duane W. Smith Auditorium.

“Recital themes have always been very important to me,” NMDT director Susan Baker-Dillingham said. “A theme provides a cohesive feel to the entire event and every student, parent and faculty member feel part of a large structured event.”